Atmospheric Pollution, Environmental Justice and Mortality Rate : a Spatial Approach

This paper presents the first study of environmental inequality related to health in France at the national scale. Through an econometric analysis based on a panel data from 2000 to 2004 at a department level, we investigate total mortality rate in relation to socioeconomic status and air pollution. Concentration level of CO, SO2, NO2, NO, O3 and PM10 are estimated by spatial interpolation from local observations of a network of monitoring stations. By running a multivariate model, we first investigate the relationship between socioeconomic factors and total mortality rate ; then, we make the link with environmental air quality measured within the department. Unemployment plays an important role in affecting the mortality rate. Pollutant concentration level are divided into two risk categories (low and high) at the median. We find a positive and significative relationship between NO2 and mortality rate especially at high concentration level of NO2 with a relative risk more important for women. Besides, NO2 level tends to modify the effect of unemployment on mortality rate. These results not only confirm the existence of short term relationships between current air pollution levels and mortality but also raise questions about environmental justice in France.Inequality, air pollution, air quality, environmental economics, environmental health and safety, environmental impact, environmental equity, mortality rate, spatial auto-correlation.

Nitrates and Property Values: Evidence from a French Market Intervention

International audienceThis paper examines the effect of properties being located in vulnerable zones interm of nitrates on the property prices using a change in the classification of vulnerablezones in France in 2012. Using an identification strategy based on a spatial difference-in-differences specification, we show that the revision of the classification significantlydecreased not only property prices in zones that became classified as vulnerable afterthe revision, but also those of properties already classified as vulnerable. However,the effect was stronger for the former, 10% vs. 5%, and this differences may reflect adifference in how zones are classified. The risks covered in the 2012 classification covera broader range of risks, and hence the larger price effect may reflect this additionalperceived risk exposure

Nitrates and Perception: a Hedonic Application

International audienceThis paper examines the effect of living in vulnerable zone in term of nitrateson property prices using a change in the geographical delimitation of the zone inFrance. Using an identification strategy based on a spatial difference-in-differencesspecification, we show that the 2012 revision policy decreases significantly propertyprices not only in areas that becomes vulnerable at the time of the policy but also inareas that were already considered as vulnerable before the policy change

Les Inégalités sociales de santé liées aux effets de la pollution sur la santé

Many pollutants are declining throughout the industrialized world. However, exposure to air pollution, even at the levels commonly achieved nowadays in European countries, still leads to adverse health effects. In this context, there has been increasing global concern over the public health impacts attributed to environmental pollution. The thesis aims to examine health impacts linked to environmental pollution by sheding light on their macroeconomic consequences. The first objective of the thesis is to explore empirically the relations between socio-economic status, environmental exposures and health outcomes. Through econometric analysis, we study the total mortality rate in relation to socioeconomic status and air pollution for the French department, and the effect of energy production on new born health using a recent strike that affected oil refineries in France as a natural experiment. Finally, the last part of the thesis tries to draw inferences about individuals' valuations of risk by combining estimates of the effect of air pollution on bath property values and hospital respiratory admissions for respiratory causes.Les émissions de polluants atmosphériques ont tendance à diminuer dans l'ensemble des industrialisés. Néanmoins, l'exposition actuelle à la pollution atmosphérique engendre encore des effets néfastes sur la santé. Dans ce contexte, l'impact de la pollution environnementale sur la santé est priorité croissante de santé publique. Mon projet de thèse consiste donc à étudier les impacts sanitaires liés à la dégradation de l’environnement et d'analyser leurs conséquences macroéconomiques. Le premier objectif de cette thèse est de rassembler deux pans de la littérature en se focalisant sur les liens existant entre pollution et risques sanitaires et SI inégalités sociales d'exposition aux risques environnementaux. Par le biais d'études économétriques, étudions d'une part les taux de mortalité associés à la pollution atmosphérique selon le statut socioéconomique de la population des départements français et, d'autre part, les liens entre poil atmosphérique et santé des enfants à la naissance au sein des communes françaises en utilisant l’expérience naturelle. Par ailleurs, la dernière partie de cette thèse s'attache à mettre en regard la méthode des prix hédoniques, évaluation des références reposant sur une perception subjective des effets 1 pollution, avec la fonction de dommage, méthode de valorisation objective des coûts de la santé

Génie végétal contre l'érosion des berges de cours d'eau dans un contexte de changement climatique : quelles nouvelles espèces utiliser ?

National audienceL'érosion des berges est un phénomène naturel participant activement aux processus de dynamique fluviale. Toutefois, afin de protéger des enjeux riverains (habitations, infrastructures de transport,) il est parfois nécessaire de fixer les berges avec des ouvrages de protection. Pour se faire, le génie végétal est aujourd'hui de plus en plus employé. Il s'agit de mettre en place des matériaux végétaux vivants qui vont stabiliser les berges. Ces ouvrages comprennent notamment des boutures de saules, dont les racines vont fixer la zone érodée. Les saules, sont des espèces qui apprécient l'eau et restent inféodées à la nappe phréatique. Or la sécheresse est une des causes majeures d'échec des ouvrages de génie végétal, et ces dernières devraient s'aggraver avec le changement climatique. Il apparaît donc particulièrement intéressant de tester de nouvelles espèces présentant à la fois de bonnes capacités en termes de génie végétal et une meilleure résistance à la sécheresse. Myricaria germanica et Tamarix gallica, deux espèces pionnières des bords de cours d'eau, présentent à priori de telles caractéristiques, mais leurs patrons de développement ainsi que leur capacité de résistance à la sécheresse sont peu connues. Les comportements de boutures de ces deux espèces ont été comparés avec celle d'un saule dans trois expérimentations en laboratoire et sur le terrain. On a ainsi pu déterminer les dynamiques de croissance des parties aériennes et souterraines en fonction de différentes modalités de sécheresse. Myricaria germanica et Tamarix gallica montrent généralement un taux de reprise au bouturage élevé et proche de celui du saule, et un investissement dans les racines supérieur en cas de sécheresse, Cependant la croissance de Myricaria germanica apparaît nettement plus faible que celles des deux autres espèces Ces deux espèces présentent un fort potentiel pour le génie végétal, notamment dans un contexte de changement climatique. Elles s'adaptent bien aux conditions de sècheresse et disposent de bonnes capacités de stabilisation. Leur utilisation dans ce domaine devrait contribuer à augmenter la biodiversité des ouvrages

The relationship between teleworking, traffic and air pollution

Traffic congestion is one of the foremost problems confronted by the urban and suburban tenants of today, which increases vehicle emissions and degrades air quality. Urban planners and policy makers have consequently been always investigating choices to alleviate traffic congestion and to enhance air quality. Teleworking is one option that has received significant consideration and has been studied in the recent past. The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between teleworking, air quality and traffic in Switzerland. The analysis relies on panel individual and household level data over the period 2002–2013. We examine five main air pollutants; the sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ), the ground-level ozone (O 3 ) the nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), the carbon monoxide (CO) and the particulate matter less than 10 μm (PM 10 ). Based on the fixed effects estimates, teleworking reduces traffic volume by 1.9 per cent. Furthermore, the reduction observed on air pollution is higher for NO 2 , CO and PM 10 ranging between 3.3 and 3.7 per cent, followed by O 3 at 2.3 per cent and SO 2 at 2.1 per cent. According to instrumental variable (IV) approach and the two stage least squares (2SLS) method, the effect is higher ranging between 2.6 and 4.1 per cent. The respective reduction on traffic becomes 2.7 per cent. Overall, the main concluding remark of the study is that teleworking can be a promising tool for urban planning and development, focusing at the traffic volume reduction, and the air quality improvement. We further discuss additional policy implications of teleworking and its beneficial effects for the society

The age of consent: digital photography and privacy in general healthcare practice

Digital photography can be invaluable in visually oriented medical practice. Providing a visual record, digital photographs aid diagnosis, monitor change and quantify response to therapy. Incorporating digital photography into general practice is growing easier. Widespread ownership of smartphones with inbuilt cameras has stimulated this practice. Smartphone cameras are simple and familiar to use, capture high resolution images that enhance the medical record, expedite advice and, ultimately, can improve patient care. The development and use of the smartphone is part of a broad wave of accelerated technological change. That change, the information revolution of the last 30 years, has enabled the collection and dissemination of that information on a scale previously unimaginable. It has also changed how Australians treat personal privacy. Personal information can be instantaneously shared, with or without consent, with friends and strangers. Expectations of privacy in younger generations may have dropped, but for many Australians, protection of privacy has become more urgent. In response, Australia has tried to unify its legal and regulatory approaches to privacy protection through recent amendments to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). The Australian Privacy Principles were introduced to clarify and govern how personal information, such as healthcare information, can be collected, used and disclosed. The central role of the doctor in the collection and use of healthcare information required specific guidance for the profession. This was achieved through the professional Code of Conduct regulated by the Australian Medical Board. Despite these legislative and regulatory changes there appears to be a divergence between practitioners’ conduct and their legal and professional obligations when using clinical photography in their healthcare practice. Are doctors aware of the requirements of consent, use and disclosure, and storage security, as they apply to clinical photography? The relevant literature suggested they are not. To explore how technology has impacted privacy this paper examines how the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) affects digital photography used in the clinical management of skin conditions. The paper will describe how well-delineated boundaries of clinical information sharing are blurred in practice, if not in law. It seeks to address the reasons for the apparent knowledge deficit of privacy obligations amongst practitioners. Doctors looking to understand their privacy obligations will find it difficult; inconsistencies between laws and regulations making the regime challenging to traverse. This paper proposes possible solutions to raising awareness, promoting safer practices and can help mitigate privacy risks. Compliant use of digital photography is a value clinical tool which can facilitate patient care, while not endangering patient privacy

Nitrates and People Perception: A Hedonic Application

International audienceThis paper examines the effect of living in vulnerable zone in term of nitrateson property prices using a change in the geographical delimitation of the zone inFrance. Using an identification strategy based on a spatial difference-in-differencesspecification, we show that the 2012 revision policy decreases significantly propertyprices not only in areas that becomes vulnerable at the time of the policy but also inareas that were already considered as vulnerable before the policy chang

Une sécurité privée de réforme globale

International audienc